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Stress is primarily psychological, but it also has several effects on physical health and appearance. While studies about stress-induced rashes and hives have been around for a few years now, Dr. Shasa Hu, a dermatology and cutaneous surgery associate professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, recently said in an interview that she has seen an increase in such cases.

This is because the part of the brain that regulates how the body responds to stress releases cortisol, sometimes called "the stress hormone," which then interacts with the body and triggers oil production. This causes skin breakouts; severe stress can also cause inflammation.

What to do with stress-induced skin rash

New York-based dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian said that rashes and hives caused by stress typically disappear within 24 hours. However, if a person starts feeling a certain amount of stress, chances are high that they will reappear. If they become unbearable, over-the-counter antihistamines and cortisone creams can be used. These will help reduce inflammation, which causes itchiness.

Another approach is to try and eliminate other possible factors that contribute to the rash. These include wearing tight clothing and exposure to heat. A more proactive strategy is to avoid stressful situations, especially if you already have a history of the condition. If unavoidable, you can resort to several stress-management methods like journaling, exercising, socializing and practicing proper time management.

If these methods still do not work, it may be time to consider seeing a dermatologist. Their professional insights will be valuable in getting to the root cause of it and, of course, how to solve the problem.